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Hundreds of people cheered when the ribbon was cut on the new Richcraft Sensplex Thursday, a scene that could be replicated in other corners of the capital region.

Cyril Leeder, president of the Ottawa Senators, said the hockey club wants to open one or two more Sensplex facilities, possibly in the south and west ends.

"We'll be talking to the city about where the needs are and what the requirements might be. It has to work for the city as well," Leeder said.

The $26-million Richcraft Sensplex on Shefford Rd. is a public-private partnership with the Ottawa Community Ice Partners, which includes the Sens. The private group is running the building. Under the agreement, the city would buy the facility for $1 after 30 years.

The city has committed to purchase 2,227 hours of prime ice time to be resold at city rental rates.

The four ice pads will fill a void of ice time in the east, plus provide a new facility for tournaments.

Leeder said most of the prime-time hours have already been booked and the facility will host 15 tournaments this year.

For the Beacon Hill-Cyrville community, that means huge economic activity, which is estimated at $15 million annually citywide.

While kids and hockey parents were excited to see the new digs Thursday, the most excited guy there was probably area Coun. Tim Tierney, who could barely contain his furor as he played master of ceremonies for the grand opening.

"The big issue we've had is we can't get all of our groups skating, whether it's girls hockey, boys hockey, co-ed hockey. They all have to fight for ice," Tierney said.

Tierney said businesses, like nearby restaurants on Montreal Rd., are already seeing the impact, plus dozens of young people have scored jobs in the facility.

It might be a long time before another major recreation centre is built in Ottawa, since valuable infrastructure dollars are being funnelled into transit projects.

Mayor Jim Watson said that doesn't mean the city won't invest in recreation programs, but he's happy to hear the Sens are interested in helping build new facilities.